“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of Your hands”
~Psalm 138:8
David was a king over God’s chosen people. It was a stewardship he undertook with immense gravity. Though surrounded by hostile nations, his confidence in Jehovah was based on two promises, 1) The Lord said, “I will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:30) meaning his “enemies” were also God’s enemies, 2) the Lord promised that a ruler would sit on his throne forever (2 Samuel 7:16) meaning there was a permanence to his kingdom.
Although David himself may not have understood the specifics of God’s purpose for him, he knew that what God has purposed would certainly take place. Ultimately that purpose was to establish the line of Messiah who would come for the redemption and reconciliation of mankind. God purposed His salvation to reach the ends of the earth.
“My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose, I have spoken,
and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
~Isaiah 46:10–11
David knew God’s love wassteadfast because of the covenant, but he also knew God’s character – that God is faithful. So in the 138th Psalm we can envision David walking in conscious trust based on God’s character and promises. This Psalm is a record of his self-talk and his Intentional focus on God’s will and ways. We could say that it is a record of David choosing what occupied his mind.
In application for us, these are the roots of wholehearted thanks. Therefore we can say as David, “In the midst of trouble you preserve my life” (v.7). Jesus told us that we will have tribulation In this world, but He also affirmed that He has overcome the world – so we should be of encouraged. This reminds us of the necessity to keep “the line” in view and not be overcome by the “dot.” Contemplate these strong statements from Romans 8:31–37,
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all! Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us. Who or what shall separate us from the love of Christ? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
David’s confidence in God for, not only the day-to-day, but for the guarantee that God will carry out His purpose, is rendered in the statement, “You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand delivers me” (v.7b). Banking on God’s faithfulness to His character and promises, David moves forward with joy and assurance.
In the same way, Jesus wants us to know that we are in the grip of His grace. “I give [My sheep] eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). The Lord also promised that Jesus will take vengeance against those who trouble His people (Thess 1:6-8). We have every reason to match David’s confidence and gratitude pressing forward.
The handiwork of the Creator has His fingerprints all over it (Ps. 19). Two Sundays ago, Dick Chase exclaimed “I get so excited about God through scientific study!” He was referring to the intricate detail and order, the staggering complexity and beauty in the observed creation. You – His greatest masterpiece (Psalm 139) – were designed purposefully, and you bear the Designer’s image. This means you are the only part of creation that can know Him to the level of enjoying Him It is in this delight that we point others to Him.
“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” means you and I can confidently and honestly say, “I’m a work in progress, and He’s not giving up!” We are, after all, predestined to be conformed to His image. This is the promise of His steadfast love that never tires or gets distracted, and it never needs to be earned. We are, rather, the work of His hands because “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
“O LORD, You are our Father;
we are the clay, and You are our potter;
we are all the work of Your hand.”
~Isaiah 64:8
Let us enter this Advent season with wholehearted thanks because we can see how Jehovah kept His promise and fulfilled His purpose in bringing Messiah through David’s line for our redemption and reconciliation to God. God is like what He has done.
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